On Friday, 13 October 2023, in conjunction with the National Bikers’ Weekend (NBW) 2023, the Traffic Police (TP) and Singapore Road Safety Council (SRSC), with the support of Land Transport Authority (LTA) launched the Singapore Ride Safe (SRS) 2023 campaign at D’ Marquee Downtown East. Assoc Prof Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs & Ministry of National Development graced the event as the Guest-of-Honour.
Motorcyclists continue to be over-represented in road traffic accidents. Between January and June 2023, motorcyclists and pillion riders were involved in 51.8% of all traffic accidents. They made up 45.1% of all traffic fatalities.
The SRS 2023 campaign is part of TP’s ongoing efforts to engage the motorcyclist community. It comprised two segments:
- 1 June to 30 September 2023 – “Rewards the Riders” RTR 2023; and
- 13 to 15 October 2023, SRS 2023 at the NBW, D’ Marquee Downtown East
Reward the Riders 2023
TP continued with the “Reward the Riders” (RTR) initiative in 2023. Motorcyclists who were spotted by TP patrol officers wearing appropriate safety gear and/or displaying safe riding habits on the roads, were rewarded with goodie bags and featured on the “Use Your RoadSense” Facebook page. Past RTR campaigns were well received by the motorcycling community and members of the public. Online RTR posts of the rewarded motorcyclists on the “Use Your RoadSense” Facebook page, which also contained reminders to motorcyclists to don appropriate riding gear and practise safe riding habits, attracted more than 660,000 views. Since its inception in 2019, TP has rewarded more than 700 exemplary riders.
From June to September 2023, a total of 72 riders were commended by TP. Amongst the 72, five exemplary riders with good riding records were given a special award during SRS 2023. For details of their exemplary riding acts, please refer to Annex A.
MOS Faishal said, “We hope that all motorcyclists can also adopt the good practices shown by our exemplary riders from the “Reward the Riders” initiative. Always check your blind spots before making a turn or changing lanes. Families, relatives, or friends can remind motorcyclists to always prioritise their safety and discourage any form of dangerous road behaviour.”
Singapore Ride Safe 2023 Campaign at D’ Marquee Downtown East
SRS 2023 aims to continue promoting safe riding behaviours among motorcyclists. From 13 to 15 October 2023, in collaboration with the NBW and SRSC, TP will set up an exhibition titled “The Last Ride” specially curated for motorcyclists and other motorists. This exhibition, which showcases the aftermath of an accident involving motorcyclists and pillion riders, is a stark reminder of the grave consequences of errant and reckless road users. A new visual titled “Ride SAFE” was also launched by MOS Faishal on 13 October 2023 with four desired riding behaviours and the visual would be incorporated into collaterals for use in TP’s engagements. For an image of the visual, please refer to Annex B.
Commander of Traffic Police, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police (SAC) Daniel Tan said, “Traffic Police is concerned about the disproportionate number of road traffic accidents involving motorcyclists and has been working closely with the stakeholders and partners to educate and remind motorcyclists and other road users to play their part by riding and driving safely to get home to their loved ones.”
Chairman of SRSC, Mr Bernard Tay said, “SRSC hopes that through the Singapore Ride Safe Campaign, we are able to encourage more motorcyclists to practise safe riding habits on the roads, including defensive riding. Motorcyclists should always obey all traffic rules, stay alert, and observe safe riding etiquette.
TP and SRSC hope that the SRS 2023 campaign will enhance the safety awareness of the motorcyclists and encourage them to adopt a safer riding behaviour. Please refer to Annex C for the photographs from the event.
Annex A
Reward the Riders 2023 Campaign
Other than adhering to the traffic rules and the speed limit, these five exemplary riders were observed by Traffic Police officers to be consistent in giving way to other motorists on the expressways, pedestrians at controlled pedestrian crossings and zebra crossings. These riders were also observed to have signalled and looked out for blind spots before changing lanes.
Most importantly, all riders wore proper protective gear such as approved helmets, long riding pants and long-sleeved riding jackets.
Name of motorcyclist | Photograph |
Ronald Koh Mui Chye |
|
Mohd Kamil Bin M Salleh | |
Octavius Yap Sin Kuang | |
Engel Hendrik Beertema | |
Prakash Krishnan |
Annex B
Digital Image of the ‘Ride SAFE’ poster ▼
Annex C
Photo of Vice-Chairman, SRSC, Mr Patrick Kho, MOS Faishal, Commander TP, SAC Daniel Tan and Group Director, Traffic & Road Operations, Land Transport Authority, Mr Alvin Chia launching the new ‘Ride SAFE’ poster ▼
Photo of Vice-Chairman, SRSC, Mr Patrick Kho, MOS Faishal, Commander TP, SAC Daniel Tan and Group Director, Traffic & Road Operations, Land Transport Authority, Mr Alvin Chia, and the award recipients for “Reward the Riders” initiative. ▼
The award recipients from left to right: Mr Ronald Koh Mui Chye, Mr Mohd Kamil Bin M Salleh, Mr Prakash Krishnan and Mr Octavius Yap Sin Kuang.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
13 October 2023 @ 9:40 PM